1h-imidazo(4,5-b)pyrazin-2-ones and processes for their preparation



United States Patent 3,461,123 IH-IMKDAZG[4,5-b]PYRAZlN-2-ONES AND PROCESSES FOR THEIR PREPARATION James H. Jones, Blue Bell, and Edward I. Cragoe, In,

Lansdale, Pa., assignors to Merck & C0., llnc., Rahway,

N .J., a corporation of New Jersey No Drawing. Filed Apr. 12, 1968, Ser. No. 721,065

Int. Cl. C0711 57/24; A61k 27/00 US. Cl. 260-450 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOS ,formed lH-imidazo[4,5-b1pyrazin-2-ones. The products have utility as antihypertensive agents with a moderate amount of diuretic and saluretic activity.

This invention relates to novel'orga'nic compounds and more specifically relates to novel 6(or 5)-hydroxy (and mercapto)-lH-irnidazo [4,5-b]pyrazin-2-ones and the corresponding ethers and thio-ethers, and to process as for their preparation.

The lH-imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazin-2-ones of this invention can be represented by the structural formula:

7 R1 N my It wherein R represents (a) hydrogen,

(b) lower alkylcarbonyl of from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms, e.g., acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, pentanoyl, or hexanoyl, either straight or branched chain,

(c) cycloalkyl, preferably lower cycloalkyl of from 3 to about 7 carbon atoms, e.g., cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl and the like,

(d) alkenyl, preferably lower alkenyl of from 3 to about 5 carbon atoms, e.g., allyl, propenyl, and the like, (e) lower alkoxycarbonyl, wherein the lower alkoxy moiety, has from 1 to about 3 carbons, e.g., methoxy,

ethoxy, and propoxy,

(f) alkyl, preferably lower alkyl of from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, and pentyl, either straight or branched chain, and either unsubstituted or substituted, such as with (2) heterocyclic group having 5 or 6 members, containing 1 or more hetero atoms selected from oxygen and/or nitrogen, e.g., morpholino, piperazino and the like,

(3) lower alkoxycarbonyl, wherein the lower alkoxy group has from 1 to about 3 carbons, e.g., methoxy, ethoxy, and propoxy,

(4) hydrazinocarbonyl, wherein the hydrazino group is either unsubstituted or substituted with such as lower alkyl of from 1 to about 3 carbons, e.g., methyl, ethyl, or propyl, on either N and/or N of the hydrazine,

Patented Aug. 12, 1969 ice R represents (a) hydrogen (b) lower alkylcarbonyl of from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms, e.g., acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, pentanoyl, or hexanoyl, either straight or branched chain,

(c) cycloalkyl, preferably lower cycloalkyl of from 3 to about 7 carbon atoms, e.g., cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl and the like,

(d) lower alkoxycarbonyl, wherein the lower alkoxy moiety, has from 1 to about 3 carbons, e.g., methoxy, ethoxy and propoxy,

(e) alkyl, preferably lower alkyl of from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, and pentyl, either straight or branched chain, and either unsubstituted or substituted, such as with (1) heterocyclic group having 5 or 6 members, containing l or more hetero atoms selected from oxygen and/or nitrogen, e.g., morpholino, piperazino and the like,

(2) lower alkoxycarbonyl, wherein the lower alkoxy group has from 1 to about 3 carbons, e.g., methoxy, ethoxy, and propoxy,

(3) hydrazinocarbonyl, wherein the hydrazino group is either unsubstituted or substituted with such as lower alkyl of from 1 to about 3 carbons, e.g., methyl, ethyl, or propyl, on either N and/or N of the hydrazine;

R represents (a) hydrogen,

(b) lower alkenyl of from 3 to about 5 carbons such as allyl, propenyl or the like,

(c) lower cycloalkyl of from 3 to about 8 carbon atoms such as cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, and cyclooctyl,

(d) lower alkyl of from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms either straight or branched chain, either unsubstituted or substituted with such as (1) hydroxy, I

(2) lower alkoxy of from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy and isopropoxy,

( 3) mononuclear aryl, especially phenyl,

(4) mononuclear aroyl, especially benzoyl,

(5) cyano,

(6) lower alkoxycarbonyl such as methoxycarbonyl,

ethoxycarbonyl, or the like,

(7) heterocyclic, such as 2-imidazolin-2-yl-, pyridyl and the like;

X represents (a) hydrogen, and b) halo, especially chloro and bromo; Y represents (a) oxygen, and (b) sulfur,

The lH-imidazo[4,5-b1pyrazin-2-ones of this invention are orally active, relatively nontoxic, highly efiective antihypertensive agents with a moderate amount of diuretic and saluretic activity, lowering the blood pressure of rats when administered intraperitoneally and of dogs when administered intravenously at doses of 2040 rug/kg. The antihypertensive efiFect persists for up to several hours depending on close with no signs of toxicity.

The products of this invention can be administered in in the form of pills, tablets, capsules, elixirs, injectable preparations and the like and can comprise one or more of the compounds of this invention as the only essential active ingredient of the pharmaceutical formulation, or, the novel compound(s) can be combined in pharmaceutical formulations with other therapeutic agents. The compounds of this invention are advantageously administered at a dosage range of from about 5 mg./day to about 750 mg./day or at a somewhat higher or lower dosage preferably in subdivided amounts on a 2 to 4 times a day regimen.

It is recognized that the novel compounds of this invention are tautomeric in nature:

I Ib

Such tautomerism is only possible wherein R and/0r R is hydrogen. Although the lH-imidazo[4,5-b1pyrazin-2- ol (Ia or Ib) might represent a significant or predominant form of a given compound, for the sake of conssitency Structure I has been selected for purposes of this specification and named accordingly as 1H-imidazo[4,5-b] pyrazin- 2-one.

The novel compounds of this invention can be prepared by several routes. The most general method is illustrated below:

Method A where R represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower cycloalkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, lower(alkoxy-alkyl), lower alkenyl, and di(lower alkyl)amino-1ower alkyl, wherein these groups have the scope defined for them in the definition of R In this case, a Curtius reaction or modification thereof is employed which involves diazotization of a 3-aminopyrazinoic acid hydrazide with an alkali metal nitrite in acid medium, which results in the formation of a pyrazinoic acid azide, which rearranges spontaneously when heated in a solvent to the required 1H-imidazo[4,5-b] pyrazin-Z-one. The alkali metal nitrite, usually sodium or potassium nitrite in water is added slowly, preferably below the surface, to a stirred solution of the hydrazide in mineral acid, usually from about 0.5 N to 6 N hydrochloric acid, although sulfuric, hydrobromic or the like acid can be employed at a temperature from ambient to about steam bath temperature. The temperature employed is usually that required to dissolve the hydrazide. The intermediate acid azide precipitates from the reaction mixture, and because of its explosive nature is normally not purified or characterized, but simply collected by filtration, dried carefully and utilized in the next step.

The intermediate 3-aminopyrazinoic acid azide is dissolved in an alcoholic solvent such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol or the like or for solubility reasons in a substituted alcohol such as Z-methoxyethanol, 2-ethoxyethanol or the like and heated on the steam bath for from 1 to 5 hours. Temperatures from about 50 C. to the reflux temperature of the solvent are satisfactory, the steam bath temperature being convenient. Similarly I to 5 hours is suflicient to complete the reaction, but longer periods such as overnight are not detrimental, if

R Y NH REY NH R y N x ooNnNm x coN, X N

convenient. The product is isolated by evaporation of the solvent and recrystallization from a suitable solvent, or solvent mixtures.

In some cases, some of the substituents R and R can be incorporated into the molecule of the preformed 1H- imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazin-2-one and are designated as R, wherein R represents lower alkyl, lower alkoxycarbonyllower alkyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl, lower alkylcarbonyl, lower cycloalkyl, di(lower alkyl)amino-lower alkyl, and heterocyclic-lower alkyl such as morpholino-lower alkyl and piperazino-lower alkyl, wherein these groups have the scope defined for them in the definition of R For example, if one or both imidazole nitrogens are unsubstituted, it, or they, can be acylated simply by refluxing the 1H- 25 imidazo-[4,5-b]pyrazin-Z-one in an acid anhydride such as acetic anhydride, propionic anhydride or the like for 1 to 10 hours, preferably about 3 hours, followed by evaporation of the excess anhydride and recrystallization to provide a 1-(or 3-) or (1,3-di)-acyl-1H-imidazo-[4,5-b]

30 pyrazin-Z-one.

Also, the unsubstituted nitrogens of the imidazo moiety are alkylated readily by dissolving the 1H-imidazo-[4,5- b]pyrazin-2-one in an alkanol solution of an alkali metal alkoxide, and treating it with an excess of alkyl or cycloalkyl iodide or bromide such as methyl bromide or iodide or ethyl bromide or iodide or cyclopentyl bromide under reflux. Evaporation of the solvent yields a l-(or 3-) 0r 1,3-di -alkyllH-imidazo [4,5 -b] pyrazine-Z-one.

Similar alkylation is accomplished by the portion-wise addition of a dialkyl sulfate such as dimethyl sulfate to a solution of a lH-imidazo[4,5-b1pyrazin-2-0ne in aqueous base such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. The product, a l-(or 3-) or (l-3-di)-alkyl-1H- imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazin-2-one separates during the reaction and is collected and recrystallized from a suitable solvent.

Acylating or alkylating agents such as alkyl chloroformates and alkyl a-bromoalkanoates when added to a solution of a lH-imidazo[4,5-b1pyrazin-2-one and an organic base such as a trialkylamine in a solvent such as a dialkylformamide or dialkyl sulfoxide yields the desired lH-imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazin-2-0ne having in the 1-, 3-, or 1,3-positions either alkoxycarbonyl groups such as ethoxycarbonyl or alkoxycarbonylalkyl groups such as ethoxycarbonylmethyl, respectively.

Treatment of esters of the latter type with hydrazine in an alkanol solution results in the formation of the cor responding hydrazides.

Another type of substitution on the 1, or 3, or the 1 and 3-nitrogens occurs upon stirring overnight at room temperature an aqueous solution of a 1H-imidazo[4,5-b] pyrazin-Z-one with a secondary amine e.g., morpholine or piperidine, and formaldehyde. The l-(or 3-) or (1,3- di)-aminomethyl derivative separates from the solution, is collected and recrystallized.

lowing reaction scheme:

Method B R Y N 1'1 R4 R Y N COR iifhglR bllzaofi R Y N CHaN X I a )zSOc x 1 I I I I N N R X (R X Hr-N R4 0(COR) CH0 H N I N X H X G I/(31GO:1R Br H-GOaR R Y N 3023 R(or H) N RaY N (iDHCOaR I N =0 x N eom X N bnooin R(or H) i/fiHiNHQ R(or H) RgY iHCOHHNHa N X X OHCONHNHI R(or H) wherein hal represents iodide or bromide, R represents lower alkyl, and R and R represents lower alkyl of from 1 to 5 carbon atoms such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and pentyl, either straight or branched chain, or when taken together form a heterocyclic ring with the nitrogen to which they are attached such as morpholine, piperidine, piperazine, and the like. The above reaction schemes are intended as illustrative only, and although showing disubstitution in each case, it is understood that monosubstitution results if one of the imidazole nitrogens is previously substituted.

Although many of the 3-amino-5-R Y-6-X-pyrazinoic acid hydrazides used as starting materials in this invention are known, those that are not known are readily available by synthesis from known compounds.

The intermediate esters are generally prepared by one or more of the processes shown below:

chloropyrazinoates described in Table I, according to l R YH Equation 1. N f N N N a B R NH c1 NH R NH [H] my NH I H I 1 Cl COOOHa @012 C1 COOCHs X N COOCH; -ooooHa W I TABLE I N 111 Exanple CH MI NH 3::::::::::::::: e.ri5

J: 4 431120112021 B COOCH r N a 5 Q EXAMPLE 1.METHYL 3-(2-DIMETHYLAMINO- ETHYLAMINO)-5,6-DICHLO ROPYRAZINOATE 6 Step A: Preparation of methyl 3-(2-dimethylaminoethylamino)-6-ch1oropyrazinoate 1 OHz-CH=OH: Z-dimezthylaminoethylamine 3.5 g., 0.04 mole) is dis- 8 *CHzCmOCHa solved in ethanol ml.) and methyl 3 bromo chloro EXAMPLE 9. METHYL 3 AMINO 5 METHYLTHI0 pyrazinoate (5.0 g., 0.02 mole) is added with stirring. The C OROPYRAZINO ATE solution is refluxed for minutes, cooled and water HL (75 ml.) added slowly with stirring. The product that sep- 25 A liter, round-bottom flask equipped with a stirrer, conarates is removed by filtration and dried, yielding 1.7 g. denser and dropping funnel is charged with methyl 3- (33%) of methyl 3 (2 dimethylaminoethylamino)-6- amino-5,6-dichloropyrazinoate (4.44 g., 0.02 mole) and chloropyrazinoate, M.P.105-108 C. This material is used anhydrous methanol (700 ml.). A solution of sodium in the next step without further purification. methyl mercaptide, prepared from methyl mercaptan 30 (1.92 g., 0.04 mole), in methanol (30 ml.) and 20% Step z f gg g2 g i s 3 (2 dimethylammoethyl aqueous sodium hydroxide (4.2 ml., 0.021 mole), is added oropyrazinoate to the solution containing the ester over a ten minute Methyl H Y Q Y p period. The solution is refluxed for 15 minutes and cooled aZlHOate 1110161 18 slurrled h 50 of and the product that separates is removed by filtration and ethylene dichloride. The flask 1s flushed with nitrogen, then recrystallized from methanol, yielding 3.3 g. (71%) of chlorine 1S bubbled through the Slurry 15 mm at 3 methyl 3-amino-5-methyl-mercapto-6 -chloropyrazinoate, mmoles/min. After stirring at room temperature for 2V2 M.P, 212 214 C. hours, the methyl 3-(Z-dimethylaminoethylamino)-5,6-di- Analysis. Calculated for C H ClN O S; C, 35.98; H, chloropyrazmoate is filtered off, and recrystallized from 3.45; N, 17.98. Found: C, 36.24; H, 3.33; N, 17.91. xylene. By employing substantially the method described in Employing the proceduredescnbed 1n Example 1, Step Example 9, but substituting for the methyl mercaptan used A, but substituting for the dimethylaminoethylamine, used therein, equal amounts of the R -mercaptan depicted in therein, an equivalent amount of an amine of formula Table I, there is obtained the corresponding methyl 3- IU NH followed In each case by chlorination as described amino-R S-6-chloropyrazinoates also depicted in Table II, 1n Step B, there is produced the methyl 3-R NH -5,6-diaccording to Equation II.

R6 30 N I N H 01f [NH RsSH ms FI IH Cl N COOOHa C1 \N/COOCH3 TABLE II Starting material from Example R0 R3 Example 10 H 02135- 11 -H Il-C3H7- a s; a aser) 1 (CHa):N(CH2)z 01130611 52- w s c=H5- Q-omcm- 17 4 HO(CH1):-

19 6 CH2=CH-CH;

2o 7 CH=CHCH 21 s oniowmn- 8 EXAMPLE 22.METHYL 3-AMINO-5-METHOXY- G-CHLOROPYRAZINOATE Methyl 3-amino-5,6-dichloropyrazinoate (1.1g, 0.005 mole) is dissolved in 200 ml. of boiling anhydrous methanol containing metallic sodium (115 mg. 0.005 g. atoms). The product which separates on cooling, is filtered, rinsed with water and methanol and dried to give 1.0 g. (92%) of methyl 3-amino-5-methoxy-6-chloropyrazinoate which when recrystallized from acetonitrile melts at 255257 C.

Analysis.-Calculated for C7HgClN30 Z C, 38.63; H, 3.71; N, 19.31. Found: C, 39.00; H, 3.82; N, 18.76.

Using the procedure described in Example 22, but substituting for the anhydrous methanol and the methyl 3-amino-5,6-dichloropyrazinoate used therein, equivalent amounts of an alcohol of formula R OH and a methyl 3-R NH-5,6-dichloropyrazinoate respectively described in Table HI, there are produced the methyl 3-R NH-5- R O-6-chloropyrazinoates also described in Table III, according to Equation III.

R N I N C1 NH R 0 NH 111 R OH Cl C O O C H 01 C 0 O C H s s N N TABLE III Starting material in Example Example R R H C2H5- H CH O(CH2)a- 1 (CHa)N(CHz)z- CH3- 2 CHa 02135- 3 CzHss 2)2 29 4 nowrnn- Q0 H,-

1 Known;

A mixture of methyl 3-amino-5-methoxy-6-chloropyrazinoate from Example 22 (14.2 mole), palladium on charcoal catalyst (9.0 g.), magnesium oxide (4.0 g.) and methanol (250 ml.) is shaken with hydrogen for 18 hours at ambient temperature and at an initial hydrogen pressure of 30 p.s.i. The mixture is filtered, and the solids extracted with a boiling solution of 2-propanol (500 ml.) and water (250 ml.) The methanol filtrate and the extract are combined and concentrated to a volume of 100 ml. The methyl 3-amino-5-methoxypyrazinoate which precipitates has M.P. 205 .5207.5 C.

Analysis.--Calculated for C H N O C, 45 .90; H, 4.95; N, 22.94. Found: C, 45.32; H, 4.78; N, 22.79.

Employing the procedure of Example 34, but substituting for the methyl 3-amin0-5-methoxy-6-chloropyrazinoate used therein, equivalent amounts of the methyl 3-R NH 5-R O-6-ch1oropyrazinoates described in Table IV, there are produced the methyl 3-R NH-5-R O-pyrazinoates also described in Table IV, according to Equation IV.

EXAMPLE 44.--METHYL 3-AMINO-5-METHOXY-6- BROMOPYRAZINOATE A solution of bromine (2.1 g., 0.013 mole) in acetic acid (10 ml.) is added to a suspension of methyl 3-amino- 5-methoxypyrazinoate, from Example 34, (2.196 g., 0.012 mole) in acetic acid (25 ml.) at 50 C. After standing 10 minutes, the crystalline product is collected and recrystallized from 2-propanol, to give pure methyl S-amino- 5-methoxy-6-bromopyrazinoate.

Employing the method substantially as described in Example 44, but substituting for the methyl 3-amino-5- methoxypyrazinoate used therein, equivalent amounts of methyl 3-R NH-5-R O-pyrazinoates described in Table V, there are produced the methyl 3-R NH-5-R O-6-bromopyrazinoates also described in Table V, according to Equation V.

N lu R N ao N R 0 1 1E V B1:

0 0 O C Ha B C 0 O OH r N a TABLE V Starting material in Example Example R R a seam.) 37 (OHa)2N(CH2)n- 0113- 2 2- 38 CH3- C2H5- 39 CaH5 CHaO (CH1):-

EXAMPLE 5 3 .3 -A MINOS-MERCAPTO-6CHLO- RO-PYRAZINOIC ACID HYDRAZIDE 11 S-mercapto-6-chloropyrazinoic acid hydrazide is collected and dried; M.P. 220 C. (dec.). After recrystallization from dimethylformamide it has M.P. 218-220" C. (dec.).

Following the procedure substantially as described in Example 53, but substituting for the methyl 3-amino-5- mercapto-6-chloropyrazinoate used therein, an equivalent amount of methyl 3-R NH-5-R S-6-X-pyrazinoate described in Table VI, there are produced according to Equation VI, the 3-R NH-5-R S-6-X-pyrazinoic acid hydrazides also described in Table VI.

Re N I R Y NH I X m COOCHa Step B: 3-amino-6-chloro-5-methoxypyrazinoic acid hydrazide 3-amino-6-chloro-S-methoxypyrazinoic acid (2.0 g., 0.01 mole) is added to a stirred solution of dimethyl formamide ml.) and triethylamine (2.5 g., 0.025 mole). To this solution is added N-t.-butyl-5-methylisoxazolium perchlorate (2.39 g., 0.01 mole) and stirring is continued for 24 hours at room temperature. The reaction is then poured into water (100 ml.) and the solid that separates is recrystallized from butylchloride to yield 2.7 g. (79%) of ester melting at l55156 C. This ester EXAMPLE 67.--3-AMINO-5-METHOXY-6-CHLO- ROPYRAZINOIC ACID HYDRAZIDE Step A: 3-amino-6-chloro-5-methoxypyrazinoic acid is dissolved in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature and excess 64% hydrazine is added dropwise. The white solid that separates is recovered by filtration and recrystallized from acetonitrile to yield 0.8 g. (37%) of product melting at 228230 C. (dec.)

Analysis.-Calculated for C H N O Cl: C, 33.11; H, 3.70; N, 32.18. Found: C, 33.45; H, 3.56; N, 31.92.

Following the procedure substantially as described in Example 67, but substituting for the methyl 3-amino-5- methoxy-6-chloropyrazinoate used therein, an equivalent amount of methyl 3-R NH-5-R O-6-X-pyrazinoate described in Table VII, there are produced according to Equation VII, the 3-R NH-5-R O-6-X pyrazinoic acid hydrazides also described in Table VII.

N i l N N R 0 NH R 0 NH R 0 1 m v11 l X COOCH: X 00011 X CONHNH N \N/ N 2 TABLE VII Startin materia in Example R R X Example:

68 23 H C 2H5- Cl 69 24 H CHaO(CHz):- Cl

70 25 H Q-o m- 01 26 (C Ha)2N(C H2)2-- (3115- C1 27 0 Ha C zHr- C1 28 CzHr- CHaO(CH;);- O1

TABLE VII-Continued Starting material in Example R R X 14 29 HO(CH2)2 cm c1 32 CHa=CH-CH2 Q- 01 33 C330 (CH2)2" CHa- O1 34 H CH: H 35 H C2Ha- H 36 H CH:() (CHzh- H 37 (CH3) zN(CH )g- CHs- H 38 CH:- CnHa- H 39 C2H5- CHaO (CHOP H H 42 0Ha=OH-CH: H

43 CH O (CHah- CHr- H 44 H CH3- B1 45 H CzHs- B1 46 H CHaO (CHDr- Br 47 Ha) 2 2)l Ha- Br 48 CHs- CzHs- Br 49 CzH5- CHsO (CH3) 2 B1 51 l Br 52 CHaO (CH 3- CH B1 98 Known H H 01 EXAMPLE 99.-3-AMINO 5 ETHOXYCARBONYL- METHYLTHIO 6 CHLOROPYRAZINOIC ACID HYDRAZIDE To a stirred solution of 3-amino-5-mercapto-6-chloropyrazinoic acid hydrazide (2.1 g., 0.01 mole) (from Example 53) in aqueous ethanol, containing 5% sodium hydroxide (10 ml.), is added ethyl bromoacetate (1.67 g., 0.01 mole). After stirring for 1.5 hours, the solid that separates is isolated and dried to yield 2.3 g. (76%) of 3-amino-5-ethoxycarbonylmethylthio 6 chloropyrazinoic acid hydrazide, M.P. ISO-153 C.

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H ClN O S: C, 35.35; H, 3.96; N, 22.91. Found: C, 35.82; H, 4.01; N, 23.30.

Employing the method substantially as described in Example 99, but substituting for the ethyl bromoacetate utilized therein, equivalent amounts of (a) 2-chloromethyl imidazoline (b) phenacylbromide, and (c) cyanomethyl bromide; there is produced (a) 3 amino-5-[ (Z-imidazolin-Z-yl)methylthio]-6-chloropyrazinoic acid hydrazide, M.P. 198-200 C.

(b) 3 amino-5-phenacylthio-6-chloropyrazinoic acid hydrazide, M.P. 195-197 C., and

(c) 3-amino-5-cyanomethy1thio-6-chloropyrazinoic acid hydrazide, M.P. 24s-2so 0.

EXAMPLE 100.-5 -CHLORO-6-MERCAPTO- lH-IM- IDAZO [4,5 -b] praZin-2-one 3 amino-S-mercapto-6-chloropyrazinois acid hydrazide (from Example 53) (10.9 g., 0.05 mole) is dissolved in a warm mixture of water (250 m1.) and 6 N hydrochloric acid (10 ml.). At about 45 C. a solution of sodium nitrite (3.46 g., 0.05 mole) in water (20 ml.) is added dropwise with stirring, during which addition, a solid separates from the solution. The solid is collected, washed with water and dried. The dry solid is suspended in methyl Cellosolve ml.) and heated on the steam bath for 2.5 hours with stirring. The solvent then is evaporated in vacuo, the residue is slurried with water, collected and dried, to give 5.8 g. (58%) with M.P. 290 C., of 5- chloro-6-mercapto-lH-imidazo [4,5-b] pyrazin-Z-one.

Employing the method substantially as described in Example 100, but substituting for the 3-amino-5-mercapto- 6-chloropyrazinoic acid hydrazide used therein, equivalent amounts of 3R NH-5-R Y-6-X-pyrazinoic acid hydrazides described in Table VIII, there are produced the 5-X-6-R Y-1H-imidazo[4,5 b]pyrazin 2 ones also described in Table VIII, according to Equation VIII.

TABLE VIII Starting material in Example R9 R4 Y X 142 9 O- Q-wmnr 143 96 I 0 Br 144 91 OH3O(CH )g- OH3- 0 Br 1 45 99 H 0 or 149 99 H olnrooo-onzs or N 147 99 H S 01 148 99 H @oooms 01 149 99 H NO-CHzs or EXAMPLE 150.--l,3 BIS(ETHOXYCARBONYL)-5- CHLORO 6 METHYLMERCAPTO 1H IMID- AZO [4, S-b] PYRAZIN-Z-ONE Ethyl chloroformate (0.002 mole) is added to a stirred solution of 5 chloro-6-methylmercapto-lH-imidazo[4,5- b]pyrazin-2-one (from Example 101) (0.001 mole), 25 ml. of dimethylformamide and 1.4 ml. of triethylamine. After stirring for 30 minutes at room temperature the separated solid is collected, dried, and recrystallized from acetonitrile to give 1,3-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-5-chloro-6- methylrnercapto-lH-imidazo [4,5 -b] pyrazin-Z-one.

EXAMPLE l.l,3 DIACETYL-5-CHLORO-6-BEN- ZYLOXY-lI-I-IMIDAZO [4,5 -b PYRAZIN-Z-ONE A solution of 5-chloro-6-benzyloxy-lH-imidazo[4,5-b] pyrazin-Z-one (from Example 117) (0.01 mole) in 30 ml. of acetic anhydride is refluxed for 3 hours. The solvent is evaporated and the residue is recrystallized from acetonitrile to give 1,3-diacetyl-5-chloro-6-benzyloxy-lH-imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazin-2-one.

EXAMPLE 152.-l,3 BIS(ETHOXYCARBONYL- METHYL) 5 CHLORO 6 METHOXY -1H-IMID- AZO [4,5 -b] PYRAZIN-Z-ONE EXAMPLE 153.l,3 BIS (HYDRAZINOCARBONYL- METHYL) 5 CHLORO G-METHOXY-IH-IMID- AZO [4,5 -b PYRAZIN-Z-ONE A mixture of 1,3-bis(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)-5-chloro- 6-methoxy-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazin-2-one (0.001 mole) (from Example 149), 2 ml. of 64% hydrazine and 50 ml. of ethanol is refluxed for two and one-half hours. The solid that separates on cooling is collected, dried and recrystallized from isopropanol to give 1,3-bis(hydrazinocarbonyl) 5 chloro-o-methoxy-lH-imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazin-2-one.

EXAMPLE l54.--1,3 DIMETHYL 5 CHLORO-6- BENZYLTHIO 1H IMIDAZO[4,5-b]PYRAZIN-2- ONE A solution of 1-methyl-5-chloro-6-benzylthio-lH-imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazin 2 one (from Example 107) (0.001 mole) in 30 ml. of water and ml. of 5% sodium hydroxide is prepared, and to it is added portionwise 0.9 g. of dimethyl sulfate while stirring rapidly. The yellow solid that separates is filtered off and the filtrate is treated with more dimethyl sulfate in portions while more sodium hydroxide is added to keep the solution basic. A total of about 2 ml. of dimethyl sulfate is required. After the solid is collected it is recrystallized from cyclohexane to give 1,3 dimethyl-S-chloro-6-benzylthio-1H-imidazo[4,5- b] pyr azin-Z-one.

EXAMPLE 155.1,3 BIS(PIPERIDINOMETHYL)-6- (2 METHOXYETHYLOXY) 1H IMIDAZO[4,5- b PYRAZIN-Z-ONE A solution of 1.7 g. of 6-(2-methoxyethyloxy)-1H- imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazin-2-one (from Example 128) and 3 ml. of piperidine in 50 m1. of water is cooled in ice and treated with 2 ml. of 36% formaldehyde dropwise. After stirring overnight at room temperature the l,3-bis(piperi dinomethyl) 6 (2 methoxyethyloxy)-lH-imidazo[4,5- b]pyrazin-2-one separates.

EXAMPLE 156.l 3-DICYCLOHEXYL-5-CHLORO-6- CYCLOHEXYLTHIO 1H IMIDAZO[4,5-b]PYR- AZIN-Z-ONE l-cyclohexyl-S-chloro 6 cyclohexylthio-lH-imidazo [4,5-b]pyrazin-2-0ne (from Example 110) (0.05 mole) is added to a solution of sodium (0.05 mole) in ml. of methanol. Cyclohexyl bromide (0.05 mole) is then added and the mixture is refluxed for 3 hours. The solution is filtered, and the filtrate is concentrated to dryness. The residue is recrystallized from cyclohexane to give 1,3- dicyclohexyl 5 chloro 6 cyclohexylthio-lH-imidazo [4,5-b] pyrazin-2-one.

EXAMPLE 157.-1,3 BIS(MORPHOLINOMETHYL)- 5-BROMO-6-ETHOXY 1H IMIDAZO[4,5-b]PYR- AZIN-Z-ONE A solution of 1.7 g. of 5-bromo-6-ethoxy-lH-imidazo [4,5-b]pyrazin-2-one (from Example 137) and 3 ml. of morpholine in 50 ml. of Water is cooled in ice and treated with 2 ml. of 36% formaldehyde dropwise. After stirring overnight at room temperature, 1,3-bis(morpholinomethyl)-5-bromo-6-ethoxy 1H imidazo [4,5-b1pyrazin-2-one separates.

EXAMPLE 158.DRY FILLED CAPSULE CON- TAINING 50 MG. OF ACTIVE INGREDIENT PER CAPSULE 5-chloro-6-mercapto 1H imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazin-2- one (from Example 100) 50 Lactose 275 Mixed powders 325 Mix the 5-chloro-6-mercapto 1H imidazo [4,5-b]pyrazin-2-one (from Example 100), and lactose and reduce to a No. 60 mesh powder. Encapsulate, filling 325 mg. in each No. 2 capsule.

The above formulation employing more or less active ingredients or a combination of active ingredients can be employed to prepare capsules of the other novel compounds of this invention hereinbefore described.

What is claimed is:

1. A process for the preparation of a compound of structural tformula no N mY t t X N N H wherein R is a member selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen, (b) lower alkyl, (c) lower cycloalkyl, (d) hydroxy-lower alkyl, (e) di(lower alkyl)amino-lower alkyl, and (f) lower(alkoxy-alkyl); R is a member selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen, (1)) lower alkenyl, (c) lower cycloalkyl, ((1) lower alkyl, (e) hydroxy-lower alkyl, (f) lower(alkoxy-alkyl), (g) phenyl-lower alkyl, (h) lower alkoxycar-bonyl-lower alkyl, (i) benzoyl-lower alkyl, (3) cyano-lower alkyl, and (k) heterocyclic-lower alkyl, wherein the heterocycle is a 5 to 6 membered ring containing 1 to 2 nitrogens as the only hetero atoms and is linked to the lower alkyl through a nuclear carbon atom; X is a member selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen, and (b) halo; Y is a member selected from the group consisting of (a) oxygen, and (b) sulfur, which comprises the reaction of a compound of structural formula Re N RWI r m x LCONHNH \N 1 with alkali-metal nitrite solution in aqueous acid followed by heating of the resultant acid azide.

2. A compound of structural formula wherein R is selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen, (b) lower alkylcarbonyl,

(0) lower cycloalkyl,

(d) lower alkenyl,

(e) lower alkoxycarbonyl,

(f) lower alkyl,

(g) hydroxy-lower alkyl,

.(h) morpholino-lower alkyl,

(i) piperazino-lower alkyl,

(j) lower alkoxycarbonyl-lower alkyl,

(k) hydrazinocarbonyl-lower alkyl,

(1) loWer(alkoXy-alkyl), and

(m) di(lower alkyl) amino-lower alkyl;

R is a member selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen,

(b) lower alkylcarbonyl,

(c) lower cycloalkyl,

(d) lower alkoxycarbonyl,

(e) lower alkyl,

(f) morpholino-lower alkyl,

(g) piperazino-lower alkyl,

(h) lower alkoxycarbonyl-lower alkyl,

(i) hydrazinocarbonyl-lower alkyl, and

(j) di(lower alkyl)amino-lower alkyl;

R is a member selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen,

(b) lower alkenyl,

(c) lower cycloalkyl,

(d) lower alkyl,

(e) hydroXy-lower alkyl,

(f) lower(alkoXy-alky1),

(g) phenyl-lower alkyl,

(h) lower alkoxy carbonyl-lower alkyl,

(i) benzoyl-lower alkyl,

(j) cyano-lower alkyl, and

(k) heterocyclic-lower alkyl, wherein the heterocycle is a 5 to 6 membered ring containing 1 to 2 nitrogens as the only hetero atoms and is linked to the lower alkyl through a nuclear carbon atom; X is a member selected from the group consisting of (a) hydrogen, and (b) halo; Y is a member selected from the group consisting of (a) oxygen, and

(b) sulfur.

3. A compound as claimed in claim 2, wherein R and R are both hydrogen, and R X and Y have the meanings assigned to each of them in claim 2.

4. 5 chloro 6 mercapto 1H imidazo[4,5 b]pyrazin-Z-one.

5. 5 chloro 6 methylthio 1H imidazo[4,5 b]pyrazin-2-one.

6. 5 chloro 6 ethylthio 1H imidazo [4,5 b]pyrazin-2-one.

7. 5 chloro 6 hydroxy 1H imidazo[4,5 b]pyrazin-Z-one.

8. 5 chloro 6 methoxy 1H imidazo[4,5' b]pyrazin-2-one.

9. 5 chloro 6 ethoxy 1H imidazo[4,5 b]pyrazin-Z-one.

No references cited.

NICHOLAS S. RIZZO, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 260-247; 424-250 2x3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, +61 12 3 Dated August 12 1969 l James H. Jones and Edward J. Cragoe, Jr.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

' Column 3, line 26, "conssi tency should read -consistency-- I Column 5, in the formula between lines 45 and 55 that part of the formula reading R(or H) R(or H) I I CHCOHHNH2 should read CHCONHNH2 I I Column 9, Table 111, Example 26, under the heading R "(CH )N(CH should read (CH N(CH Column 11, Table VI, in Examples 62, 63 and 6 under the heading Y and X, the values are S and Cl respectively. Column 15, that part of the formula .in the upper left, reading NYNHRB shc uld read NYNHRS;

that part of the formula 3' n the upper right, reading O I N N ShC [11d read N/|\N/O SIGNED AND SEALED MAY 191970 (SEAL) Ame L Edward M. mental. 1!. J

mum: E- 8mm 3.

Attestine Officer Comisalonar of m 

